Rib City® History
The concept of Real Barbecue and great Ribs started out with a small family-style barbecue operation in 1989 on U.S. 41 in Fort Myers, Florida. With the success of that location a second restaurant opened in Cape Coral in 1990.
Having outgrown the small location on U.S. 41, by 1992, a move was made up the street to a larger building along with partners Paul and Craig Peden, successful restaurateurs in Southwest Florida for over 20 years. Later that same year, they converted a Fort Myers Beach location into a Rib City®, and the legend continued. In 1994, a location in North Naples was opened and Rib City’s® award-winning Baby Back Ribs were now available in two counties.
In 1995 the Father and Son partners, Paul and Craig Peden continued to grow the company and expand in new areas. As the awards piled up, the Peden’s added eleven more locations within the next ten years…East Fort Myers in 1996; East Naples in 1997; Immokalee in 1998; North Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres in 1999; St. Petersburg in 2002; Venice in 2004; South Fort Myers and North Fort Myers in 2005 and Estero in 2011. With 13 restaurant locations in four counties, Floridians (and visitors from all over the world) can enjoy Rib City’s® award-winning Baby Back Ribs and Barbecue that have now, some 23 years later, become “The Ribs That Legends Are Made Of…”
Offering Franchises was the next step in the Rib City® story and that chapter began in 2004 with restaurant locations in Littleton and Grand Junction, Colorado. In 2005 Franchise locations opened in Fruita and Arvada, Colorado. In 2006 Franchise locations opened in Vancouver, Washington; American Fork, Utah; Montrose, Colorado and Springdale, Ohio. In 2007 a restaurant opened Rifle, Colorado. In 2008 restaurants opened in Glenwood Springs, Colorado and St. Louis, Missouri. In 2010 restaurants opened in Cookeville, Tennessee and a second location in Littleton, Colorado. In 2011 restaurants opened in Alton, Illinois and St. Charles, Missouri. In 2012 a restaurant opened in Virginia Beach, Virginia, bringing the total to 16. In 2013 and beyond Rib City® will nurture the growth of this aspect of the business with additional locations nationwide.
Through leadership, dedication and a love of the restaurant business, the Peden’s have been able to maintain a superior quality in their products and services.
